Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
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Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
Why do mosquito bites produce the urge to itch? Is there some sort of chemical interaction occurring beneath the skin that produces itchiness?
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Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
I think their saliva triggers a histamine release which is what causes the itchiness.
Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
Does the saliva in mosquitos naturally release histamine or it normally found in their saliva to begin with?
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Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
It's a histamine response! Their saliva also contains chemicals that prevent coagulation so its mouth doesn't get stuck to your skin.
Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
Do you all think that the chemicals in mosquito spray are harmful enough to justify not using them? Would spraying chemicals all over yourself be better than a bite or two? Curious to know what you all think. Parasites, of course, are also an issue for consideration.
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Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
Interesting question. I generally don't use mosquito spray because of the chemicals in it, but I don't think said chemicals are very dangerous to humans in the amount they're present in bug spray. Also, in areas where mosquitos carry diseases like malaria, mosquito spray is definitely justified and desirable.
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Re: Chemistry Behind Mosquito Bites
A mosquito’s saliva contains an anticoagulant, which allows the mosquito to more easily access your blood. Your body recognizes it as a foreign substance and sends histamine to the nerve cells around the bite. This causes an inflammatory reaction. The amount of histamine released per person is variable, as all individuals have different immune sensitivities.
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